WWE Superstar Adam Rose recently spoke with the folks at Sporting News to discuss this week’s ESPN “E:60: Behind The Curtain” documentary, which profiled Rose, Xavier Woods, Tyler Breeze and other up-and-coming NXT talents.

“I thought it was really well done,” Rose said of the documentary. “I think it was a really good look at all the different aspects of first what it takes to become a WWE superstar and secondly a personal look at what the guys go through to get there.”

Additionally, Rose admitted that it was hard for him to watch. “It makes you a little vulnerable when you see things that personal coming out,” he said. “For my wife, I think it was hard because she has been with me through the entire journey. She’s been with me through all the ups and all the downs. It’s hard for her to watch me go through all of that. And then to see it all pay off at the end of the day, I think we all share in the reward of that.”

Check out the complete interview at SportingNews.com.

• JERRY LAWLER: WWE Stars FAR Outshine UFC Stars In Popularity [READ >>]

Former NXT Champion Sami Zayn’s match with WWE U.S. Champion John Cena was laid out this week to include Bret Hart’s involvement, as we all saw on RAW on Monday night, however things didn’t quite go as planned from there.

The plan was for Zayn to lose but in the process, get over as a big star in front of an audience in Montreal that WWE was sure he would get a huge reaction.

What’s interesting is that this was not apparently going to be Zayn’s official full-time debut on the main WWE roster, even though he was originally scheduled to wrestle on SmackDown again this week. Due to the injury he sustained at RAW, SmackDown this week had to be re-written.

While there’s still no definitive word regarding the specifics of the injury, reports from those close to the situation have described it as “serious.”

There was talk in the locker room on Tuesday night at the SmackDown television tapings that Zayn would be out of action for a few months. Others claimed WWE had not yet received a report from the doctor yet, so it could be anything.

If Zayn is going to be out of action for a few months, WWE would have to cancel his match against NXT Champion Kevin Owens at the NXT Takeover: Unstoppable special on May 20th.

With Zayn out of the picture, if that turns out to be the case, the leading candidates for his replacement in the match with Owens would likely be Finn Balor or Hideo Itami vs. Tyler Breeze in a number one contender match, with the winner of that buot earning the shot at Owens.

• CONFIRMED: CHAEL SONNEN Signs With GFW — What Will His Role Be?!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– WWE’s Chief Digital Officer Lou Schwartz, who has been with the company since October 2014, left WWE a few months ago. Schwartz is now working as the Chief Strategy Officer for over-the-top company “WorldNow.”

– NXT live events scheduled for June 11th in Columbus, Ohio and June 13th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are sold out with approximately 1,500 seats for each show. The 5/14 show in Philadelphia is close to being sold out, and the 5/15 show in Philly has just under 800 seats remaining. Philadelphia is being set up to hold about 2,000 seats per show. The 5/16 NXT event in Albany, New York has only a few hundred seats still available.

– Backstage morale at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida is said to be much higher ever since former head trainer Bill DeMott resigned. New head trainer Jason Albert has apparently been a pleasure to work with thus far.

• CONFIRMED: CHAEL SONNEN Signs With GFW — What Will His Role Be?!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Several of the wrestlers who were featured in last night’s “ESPN E:60: Behind The Curtain” documentary on NXT posted their reactions to the special on social media shortly after it concluded.

Below are comments from Adam Rose, Corey Graves, Tyler Breeze and Xavier Woods, all of whom were featured prominently in the special.

For those who missed the documentary last night, you can read a detailed recap by clicking here.

Proud of my boy! He is my hero! #WWEe60 pic.twitter.com/qmQ6SnMzl9

— Aldo Rose (@Aegis_Rose) May 6, 2015

.@XavierWoodsPhD is legit one of the most charismatic people I know! In and out of the squared circle! #WWEe60

— Aldo Rose (@Aegis_Rose) May 6, 2015

First day I ever saw @WWEGraves I knew he was born to be a top guy and main event star! #WWEe60

— Aldo Rose (@Aegis_Rose) May 6, 2015

Thanks to @BillDeMott! Always my captain! #WWEe60

— Aldo Rose (@Aegis_Rose) May 6, 2015

#WWEe60 always looked up to @WWEAdamRose stronger man than I

— Breeze (@MmmGorgeous) May 6, 2015

Tonight we are sharing our real stories, our real lives with all of you. Being this vulnerable isn't easy but we want you to know how it is.

— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) May 6, 2015

What @WWEGraves has gone through is something that none of us ever want to hear. He is one of the most determined people that I know.

— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) May 6, 2015

.@WWEAdamRose an amazing mind for the wrestling business. He puts his body on the line so that people can be entertained. Understand that

— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) May 6, 2015

Thank you to those who took the time to watch our stories on @E60 . We showed you hoping that you would better understand our journeys

— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) May 6, 2015

For what it's worth, Ray, "Leo," or @WWEAdamRose, by any name, is one of the best guys I've ever known in this business.#WWEe60 @WWE

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) May 6, 2015

• CONFIRMED: CHAEL SONNEN Signs With GFW — What Will His Role Be?!

NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks recently spoke with the Miami Herald about her current run in WWE. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On standing out with her look: “I’ve always known that I wanted to be different. I wanted to stand out so my gear is very elaborate, very blingy, very loud, because I want people to notice me, want to look like me. The Boss necklace, the ring. I want everything big.”

On winning the title in a Fatal 4 Way at Takeover in February: “Just to be a part of that, it’s really indescribable. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of, but I never really saw it happening. So to be in the moment and see it happening was just crazy. I’ve never had so many tweets in my life. Afterward, people were tweeting ‘That match was Match of the Night.’ ‘You women are [going above and beyond].’”

On her cousin Snoop Dogg: “I hope one day he can make my entrance music. All my family on that side are big WWE fans, huge.”

Check out the complete interview at MiamiHerald.com.

• WWE Still Convinced Ronda Rousey vs. Stephanie WILL Happen At WM32

As noted, Samoa Joe and Jim Ross were both in Orlando, Florida for last week’s NXT television tapings in Winter Park, Florida.

While in Florida, Joe met with Triple H about coming into the company. While the working plan is that Joe will be starting with NXT in June, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that June is not official just yet. One of the reasons could be the multiple pre-signing tests that talents have to go through.

Jim Ross also spoke with the company about working on various projects together while he was there.

• CM PUNK’S UFC Debut, Ronda Rousey/WWE Update + HOT Ring Girl Pics!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

As reported on Friday evening, WWE has released five developmental talents from NXT this weekend — Dustin Mueller, Leyvonna Zakari, Laszlo Vandracsek, C. Denzel Freeman and Tony Briggs.

There now a sixth release to report – Courtney Freeman, who had yet to wrestle a match at a live event. Freeman was an amateur wrestler from the University of The Cumberlands and was signed by WWE right out of college.

• SAMOA JOE Met With Triple H Backstage At Thursday’s NXT Tapings: Full Details

– Executives from WWE, Hire Heroes USA, San Francisco 49ers and Orion International answered questions and provided career advice to veterans at the WrestleMania 31 Veteran Career Panel & Networking Event last month. WWE recently posted the following video of the event.

– Triple H recently tweeted out a photo of himself with the 11 new WWE Performance Center recruits, touting the fact that they are from seven different countries. “The Game” tweeted the following:

11 new recruits. 7 different countries. Welcome to @WWENXT…the journey starts now. @WWEPerformCtr @FullSail @WWE pic.twitter.com/hrORHmeSnC

— Triple H (@TripleH) April 24, 2015

• Ric Flair Talks About His Daughter Charlotte FIGHTING Ronda Rousey!

WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley, along with his children, attended last night’s NXT television tapings at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.

NXT Diva Dana Brooke posted the following photo of herself with the Foley’s at the show last night.

??Motivated & inspired always when I get a moment w/ @realmickfoley !So helpful & kind! Also @NoelleFoley is GORGEOUS pic.twitter.com/mF6mycj4Pt

— Ash By Elegance (@Ashamae_Sebera) April 24, 2015

WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross was also in attendance at the tapings. JR noted that he saw Samoa Joe earlier in the day in Orlando, Florida, but did not specify where. JR tweeted the following about attending the NXT taping and taping the “Cheap Pops” special with Mick Foley for the WWE Network tonight.

Thx @WWENXT personnel for the hospitality & to the fans. Come see @realmickfoley & me Friday night at NXT Arena. Taping 4 @WWENetwork

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 24, 2015

• Ric Flair Talks About His Daughter Charlotte FIGHTING Ronda Rousey!

– Solomon Crowe debuted new theme music at the NXT television tapings on Thursday night at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Fans will get to hear the new theme when his match with Baron Corbin airs on the May 13th edition of NXT TV.

– Speaking of last night’s NXT tapings, WWE had the new Performance Center female recruits work matches against the NXT Divas during the show. If the matches make it to air, they will be included on shows that air in May. The new male recruits from the Performance Center worked as security guards in an angle during the taping involving Rhyno.

– Seth Rollins and Kane are featured in this week’s edition of SmackDown Fallout, which you can check out below.

• Ric Flair Talks About His Daughter Charlotte FIGHTING Ronda Rousey!

WWE officials are said to be very high on NXT newcomer Dylan Miley, particularly due to his unique look.

Miley has recently made some in-ring appearances at NXT live events and is reportedly scheduled to make his official debut in the near future.

Dylan Miley is a 6’3”, 285 pound athlete with enormous hands. The NXT rookie sports red trunks and red boots, as pictured below.

Miley made an appearance at WrestleMania 31 Axxess and it was said that of the many NXT stars that worked matches that fans probably didn’t know, he was someone that made people stop and take notice when he came out.

The NXT rookie is said to be very green in the ring, and appears to be a long-term project for WWE. In the short match he worked at Axxess, he showed very little in the ring in terms of skills, but it was clear to everyone that he has the right look and a charisma about him that can take him a long way if he improves on his fundamentals.

Just heard Dylan Miles debuted at WWE Axxess this weekend. pic.twitter.com/egF5lGl8dR

— AEW Enjoyer (@SoDuTw) March 31, 2015

• PHOTOS: Ronda Rousey Bikini Photo Shoot!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Following the retirement of AJ Lee, Lana and Eva Marie are in line for pushes. Eva Marie has been training with Brian Kendrick and WWE officials expect her to be a more well rounded performer when she returns to action.

– Samoa Joe should be starting in NXT in June. Joe booked an independent show on May 23rd for AIW Wrestling in Cleveland, Ohio. No word on if he’s signed a WWE contract yet.

• PHOTOS: Ronda Rousey Bikini Photo Shoot!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently posted a new blog entry discussing attending this week’s NXT tapings, the handling of former NXT Champion Neville now that he is on the main roster and more. Below are some highlights:

On attending this week’s NXT TV tapings: “Yours truly will head to Orlando this week to take in the NXT tapings at Full Sail University and then be a part of the Mick Foley Cheap Pops show along with @JCLayfield on Friday night at the NXT Arena.Tickets are going fast a www.me/LMJFs. I’m looking forward to seeing many old friends, the fans and watching the amazing, young talents perform in the ring on Thursday evening.”

On the way Neville is being used: “Some fans complaining about how Neville is being utilized but if he was driven down the fans throat they would spit him back up. There is a fine balance these days on how fan favorites are marketed and going the safer, more organic route appears to be best.”

On the many lawsuits currently being brought against WWE: “Seems like attorneys who work on contingency are spotlighting the wrestling biz these days. I’d be shocked if any of them made a dime on any of their law suits.”

On New Japan Pro Wrestling: “To be clear, New Japan was pleased with our broadcasting work back in January at Wrestle Kingdom 9 and I’d love to do more work with them in the future if tht materializes. Nonetheless there are much larger fish to fry for them to address as it relates to doing more North American,etc PPV presentations than who will be announcing their show. I still enjoy broadcasting and hopeful to more in various genres in 2015.”

Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online (his beef jerky is my personal favorite), by going to WWEShop.com.

• PHOTOS: BRAND New RONDA ROUSEY Bikini Pics (SKIMPIEST Bikini You’ve EVER Seen!)

Ring Of Honor wrestler ACH recently praised former NXT head trainer and controversial personality Bill DeMott while talking about his WWE tryout experience during a recent interview on The Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On attending WWE’s NXT tryout camp in 2014: “Bill DeMott was there and he was not a jackass, he was actually one of the nicest trainers, but really all of them were nice. He was just very nice and it sucks that people came out and he lost his job with these allegations. It was one of the most intense trainings or boot camps I’ve ever been to. It really all comes down to heart, wrestling is based on heart and the mental, they just want to see if they can break you and see if you can hold on, because only the strong survive in this world.”

On feedback he received from the NXT tryout: “They just said to me not right now, which I understand. Look at the guys they’ve got there right now, good things happen to those that wait and it’s truly true. I am a firm believer in when it happens it’s supposed to happen. I can patiently wait and honestly I love the Indies. A lot of guys don’t like the Indies because a lot of guys want to hot shot and go right there because thats the big bucks and where I don’t blame them, I love what I do. I love wrestling and before I go there I want to get all that I can out of Ring of Honor, I want to be the best wrestler for Ring of Honor that I can be. I want to learn all I can right now so that I am ready.”

On facing Samoa Joe in ROH: “There is no way I ever thought I would be in the ring with Joe, so to actually wrestle Joe was such a cool experience. But I had to fight Joe. I watched Joe knock out Kenta, so my mentality going into that match was; I am going to bring it and I know that I brought it.”

On some of his favorite matches to date: My time limit draw with (Jay) Lethal I really enjoyed. My match with Cedric (Alexander) from Mike’s (Bennet) Bachelor Party was one of my favorite matches with Cedric, who I think does not get the props that he deserves and then my match with Jimmy Jacobs. Jimmy was someone I always wanted to wrestle and when I was going through a lot of my early issues in Ring of Honor, Jimmy was always there whispering things in my ear that kept me going. So he has been a really big help to me and I genuinely look up to him, he’s got such a great mind and is a really cool to be in the ring with.”

Check out the complete interview at Podomatic.com.

• Which WWE Star Convinced UFC To Let Rousey Work WM31? + Rousey/WWE Update!

NFL star of the New England Patriots, Rob Gronkowski, who recently cut a fun promo along with NXT star and former football player Mojo Rawley, recently spoke with FOX Sports about the possibility of following Rawley from the world of football to the world of sports entertainment.

“My boy Mojo Rawley is in the WWE’s NXT and he just got back from an injury, so he’s about to start amping it up again and he’s doing a great job,” said Gronkowski. “He’s my boy and he’s killing it. I love watching him. We were just chilling and we cut a promo together and we had a blast.”

Regarding the possibility of following Rawley from the world of football to WWE, Gronkowski said, “I can definitely see something in the future. Hopefully Mojo Rawley starts wrestling a lot and starts doing what he has to do and makes it to “Monday Night Raw.”

Gronkowski concluded, “If my boy is there, I’m there for an appearance.”

Check out the complete interview at FOXSports.com.

• Which WWE Star Convinced UFC To Let Rousey Work WM31? + Rousey/WWE Update!

– WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels is the guest on the latest edition of Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast this week. You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.

– 2015 WWE Hall Of Fame inductee Madusa (Alundra Blayze) announced via social media that she may show up “incognito” at the upcoming NXT live event in Lakeland, Florida on Thursday, April 30th.

– After suffering an “injury” due to the attack from Naomi on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW in London, Paige has posted the following on her official Twitter account:

https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/588372704400695296

• VIDEO: CM Punk Demonstrates His Favorite MMA Technique He’s Learned [DIRECT LINK]

– Former TNA Knockout Sarita, who is working in CMLL under the name “Sarah Stock,” is working as a guest trainer at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this week. Former WWE and WCW star Dave Taylor is also working as a guest trainer this week.

– WWE stock was up 1.64 percent on Monday, closing at $13.64 per share. The high today was $13.88 and the low was $13.40.

– Sheamus posted the following on his official Twitter account regarding his new theme song, “Hellfire.”

Inspired by an eerie night at The Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains… http://t.co/G0bWeMEtMD #Hellfire

— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) April 13, 2015

• RONDA ROUSEY: “Things Did NOT Go As Planned At WrestleMania 31”

Brian Fritz of the SportingNews.com website has an article up on the new class of NXT rookies that was announced by WWE on Monday.

In the article, the former Uhaa Nation commented on finally coming to work for WWE.

“I’m just going to keep my mouth closed, my eyes and ears open and listen and if there’s something they want me to do different I’ll try it out,” said Uhaa.

“The knowledge and experience these guys have is well beyond any kind of acknowledge I have,” he continued. “I was talking to my dad about this other day and I told him that there’s no place I’d rather be than right here.”

Check out the complete article at SportingNews.com.

• VIDEO: Woman BRUTALLY KOs Man In MMA Fight This Week (FULL FIGHT)

There has been talk within WWE as recent as WrestleMania 31 week of bringing both Neville and Finn Balor to the main WWE roster. With Neville getting the call-up two weeks ago, there continues to be speculation that Balor will soon get called up to RAW as well.

Balor, who has been working the main roster live events as part of the WWE European tour, will also be backstage at RAW today in London. The belief is he will move to the main roster permanently without ever having a NXT Championship reign, as Kevin Owens, the current NXT Champion, is expected to have a long run with the title.

• VIDEO: Woman BRUTALLY KOs Man In MMA Fight This Week (FULL FIGHT)

(Credit: PWInsider.com)

WWE issued the following press release today regarding the new class of NXT rookies, with comments from Triple H.

WWE Performance Center welcomes new class of recruits

STAMFORD, Conn., April 13, 2015 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that a new, international class of 11 recruits, including former collegiate athletes, bodybuilders and talent from the independent wrestling circuit, from seven countries have begun training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The WWE Performance Center is the home of NXT®, the developmental division for WWE. With seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the Performance Center will allow the new class to hone their skills through a comprehensive program that includes in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development.

“The global reach of WWE is reflected in the diversity of this class of NXT recruits,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “Talent is the most important natural resource we have, and these individuals will have every opportunity to hone their skills and fulfill their dream of becoming a WWE Superstar or Diva at the WWE Performance Center.”

The new NXT class includes:

Australia:
• Cassie McIntosh (Born in Sydney, resides in Melbourne, Australia) – Trained with Pro Wrestling Alliance in Sydney since 2011. In 2012, was trained by Lance Storm, a former WWE Superstar who now runs the Storm Wrestling Academy. Proficient in dance and acrobatics.

• Jessica McKay (Sydney, Australia) – Since 2008, has trained with Pro Wrestling Alliance in Sydney, as well as Ring of Honor.

Canada:
• Nhooph Al-Areebi (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) – Trained with Squared Circle since 2011 and was a member of the Toronto Circus School from 2008-2012. Also trained in rhythmic gymnastics. Speaks English and Arabic.

Germany:
• Axel Tischer (Dresdan, Germany) – Trained with GWF Wrestling in Berlin since 2006. Served in the German Army from 2005-2007, achieving the rank of Private First Class.

Mexico:
• Oscar Vasquez (Ciudad Juarez, Mexico) – Trained in Juarez in Lucha Libre style of wrestling. Worked with CWF Mid-Atlantic. Dual citizen of Mexico and the U.S.

Serbia:
• Radomir Petkovic (Belgrade, Serbia) – European Vice Champion at the 2010 European Wrestling Championships and was a two-time bronze medalist at 2009 Mediterranean Games in Greco-Roman and Freestyle. Speaks Russian and English.

United Kingdom:
• Peter Howard (Exeter, England) – Played collegiate Rugby in the UK and was a regional Discus Champion.

United States:
• Kenneth Crawford (Chicago, Illinois/Anson County, North Carolina) – Served in the US Marine Corps for four years and accumulated a perfect 300 score in the United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test. Holds the North Carolina South Piedmont and Anson High School records in the 200 meter, 400 meter and 4 X 4 relay. Anson High School Athlete of the Year in 2007.

• Thomas Kingdon (Traverse City, Michigan) – Competed in Amateur Bodybuilding and won the Super Heavy Weight Class at the 2013 NPC Central States Competition.

• Sesugh Uhaa (Atlanta, Georgia) – High School Soccer, Football and Track & Field star. Began training in 2009 and worked for Dragon Gate USA.

• Levis Valenzuela Jr. (Durham, North Carolina) – Trained with CWF Mid-Atlantic in 2013. Proficient in dance and won various awards for collegiate ballroom dancing. Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from UNC Charlotte. Grew up in the United States, lived in South Korea from 2011-2013 and speaks Spanish.

The new class will join a group of 55 men and women training out of the state-of-the-art, 26,000 square-foot WWE Performance Center. The venue offers a full training experience with real time feedback from WWE coaches, trainers and doctors, giving performers the resources they need to develop their talent both athletically and creatively. Additionally, recruits will be immersed in WWE’s Professional Development program that focuses on four key pillars of development – Life Skills, Education, Wellness and Career Success.

• CM Punk TRASHES WWE Stars Trying To Get Into MMA

As noted earlier today, WWE filed a lawsuit in California last month to stop undisclosed selling of their merchandise in the area during WrestleMania 31 week. In addition to the dates and locations of the first three pay-per-views of 2016, the full schedule of planned NXT Takeover specials and television tapings through November of this year are revealed.

Below is the NXT schedule from now until November.

– Thursday April 23rd – NXT TV tapings
– Wednesday, May 20th – NXT live special
– Thursday, May 21st – NXT TV tapings
– Thursday, June 18th – NXT TV tapings
– Thursday, July 16th – NXT TV tapings
– Wednesday, August 12th – NXT live special
– Thursday, August 13th – NXT TV tapings
– Thursday, September 10th – NXT TV tapings
– Wednesday, October 7th – NXT live special
– Thursday, October 8th – NXT TV tapings
– Thursday, October 22nd – NXT TV tapings
– Thursday, November 19th – NXT TV tapings

• WWE Personality Explains Why He Wants To Kick CM Punk’s Ass!

– Coming out of this year’s WrestleMania, it’s worth noting that all but two of WWE’s current male champions (John Cena and Tyson Kidd) came from Ring Of Honor. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, NXT Champion Kevin Owens, WWE Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan and one-half of the WWE Tag-Team Champions, Cesaro, all spent time in ROH.

– This week’s edition of NXT featured a look at Hideo Itami’s “Road to WrestleMania,” which led to the following back-and-forth on Twitter between Itami and NXT Champion Kevin Owens.

Thank you for watching @WWENetwork @WWENXT this episode.

I have to study English more…

I will be next NXT CHAMP.#fightOwensfight

— KENTA aka Lil’K (@KENTAG2S) April 9, 2015

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/585984758167031808

• Former WWE Star Says He Has Beef With CM Punk Over Eve Torres!

– Brie Bella has been hinting on social media that she will be winning the Divas Battle Royal on RAW next Monday and will be challenging her sister, Nikki Bella, for the WWE Divas Championship.

– Seth Rollins, who headed out for WWE’s tour of Europe on Tuesday, tweeted the following:

Put @WWENeville in his place. Put @RandyOrton in his place. Now about to put the entire continent of Europe in its place. #undisputedfuture

— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) April 7, 2015

– The following matches were taped on February 18th in Winter Park, Florida for tonight’s edition of NXT on the WWE Network:

– Solomon Crowe vs. CJ Parker

– Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady vs. Shoot Nation (Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins)

– Blue Pants vs. Dana Brooke

– Sami Zayn vs. Rhyno

• Former WWE Star Says He Has Beef With CM Punk Over Eve Torres!

Former NXT star CJ Parker, who requested and received his release from WWE last week, recently spoke with Gary Mehaffy of F4WOnline.com about his departure from the company. Below are highlights of the interview, which you can listen to in full above.

On what the WrestleMania experience is like: “It’s incredible! It’s not only just Sunday, it’s the entire week from Thursday to Sunday. They take over the entire town! Everywhere you look there’s John Cena there, there’s a WrestleMania 31 logo there – it’s incredible. And then the fans! You’ve got 80,000 fans that come from all over the world and it’s all anybody is talking about that weekend!…It makes you really proud to be a part of pro wrestling.”

On taking part in Axxess during WrestleMania week: “Being part of Axxess is so cool. There were some of those days we wrestled 5 or 6 times! You get to meet fans from all over the world….Sometimes you forget how big NXT is and how it covers the whole world. People from all over know who you are!”

On getting signed by WWE: “They hire based on giving people opportunities and signing people with potential…..I was doing TV shots for them when I was 19 or 20. I would go to the All-State in Chicago and handle myself like a good young kid – I was happy to be there! They would always call me because I wouldn’t be a fan boy – I wasn’t a headache! Tell me when to be there and I’ll be there – thought I’ll eat a lot of catering!….Out on the indys I wrestled Lenny Lane – we were having 20/25 minute matches. He called his buddy Norman Smiley….basically what Lenny told him was that I was a young kid with lots of potential and before he gets any bad habits you should get him in the system. Norman agreed and there was a try-out – it was, like, $1000 – I ended up getting the money for that and the rest is history!”

On his thoughts on leaving NXT: “I want people to know that I’m not negative at all. Maybe I was a little frustrated but I wasn’t negative towards WWE. I love WWE, and I always will! But I felt as a performer – as a pro wrestler – if I didn’t pull myself away (from NXT) and go out and get more experiences and more exposure and more (of) all those things that I think I might have trapped myself in a hole as being the guy out there that puts everybody over in 5 minutes. That’s not why I got into pro wrestling. I’m not a guy who’s just happy to be there (WWE). I’m not a guy who’s like “Well, I’m an NXT Superstar – hell yeah – give me some free drinks at the bar!” That’s not me. I wanna be on that team, but I wanna be batting third and hitting RBI’s every night. I wanna be a go to guy that they can count on…..There’s more in me that what I was doing, and I felt like the only way that I could show them that is maybe leave for a while and get some experiences and show them that I do have star potential. It was a really tough choice…..”

On becoming a wrestler: “(I said) to my buddy Roger (at the IWA show): ”These guys aren’t much bigger than us! I think I could do this”. I think I talked to Ian that night – I was 15 or 16. I told him “I want to do this” and he said “Well, you’ve got to be 18.” (So I decided) I’m gonna do college too but I’m going to do this.

As senior year was rounding out I started going to some shows near my house. I met a guy who (laughs) started to train me – kind of! He taught me how to bump and how to hit the ropes. He ran in a town that was really close to my house. Little did I know he just wanted me on the show so I could sell tickets to all of my friends and family!…..I’m so excited to get in the ring once a month and learn how to do a back bump and run the ropes and do a dropkick and a hip toss – and that’s about what he taught me! And then he said I was ready! I wasn’t trained but I sold about 100 tickets to my friends and family!

I realised that wrestling training was supposed to be a full time thing! it was supposed to be 4 hours a day, 4 times a week for, like 12 weeks. I’d been in a ring maybe 3 times and they put me in a match – that wasn’t the way I wanted to learn!….Truth Martini was working for Danny Daniels in AAW at the time, and I eventually spoke to him – and I talked to Danny too – and I said “I’m going to move to Detroit and od this the right way.”

• UPDATE: Latest On SCOTT STEINER Trying To KILL Hulk Hogan!

Your ring announcer for the evening is Dasha Kuret. Greg Hamilton is your in arena host and MC.

– The show opens up with Sami Zayn coming out and cutting a promo, putting over the Orlando crowd and talking about how NXT has grown and sold out shows in Columbus, Cleveland, and San Jose and it wouldn’t have been possible without the people of Orlando. He then went on to talk about how the last month wasn’t so great to him and that he was disappointed he was not medically cleared to compete in all of those big shows. He says he has a rematch due and he’s going to win his title back from Kevin Owens. This brought out Tyler Breeze who claimed he was the number 1 contender. Bull Dempsey came out and said that while everyone else was pulling the load, Sami was sitting at home and Bull should be the number 1 contender. Baron Corbin came out, and stared them down. Corey Graves came out and said he anticipated something like this would happen and he called William Regal. Smi Zayn would compete in a number 1 contender’s match, but his opponent would be the winner of a Battle Royal held tonight.

Match 1: Battle Royal. Competitors listed by order of elimination: Noah Pang-Potjes (doing a Hawaiin gimmick, complete with lei’s and hula music), Sunny Dhinsa, Sammy Piscatelli, Josh Woods, Steve Cutler, Sawyer Fulton, Marcus Louis, Tye Dillinger, Angelo Dawkins, Mike Rallis, Elias Samson, Colin Cassady, Simon Gotch, Enzo Amore, Bull Dempsey, Tyler Breeze, Dash Wilder, Aiden English, and Baron Corbin (thanks to some help from Tyler Breeze). Winner: Scott Dawson who goes on to face Sami Zayn later tonight.

Match 2: Solomon Crowe def. Chad Gable. Good, solid match. Dillinger came out and held up the number 2. This will be explained a bit later.

Match 3: Bayley and Alexa Bliss def. Dana Brooke and Carmella. Bayley wins with the Bayley to Belly suplex. There were a lot of fun spots meant to get crowd reaction and the fans ate it up. You can tell Brooke and Carmlla are still very much works in progress. At one point, Brooke went to take a head scissors from Bliss and didn’t quite get flipped over and it looked like she nearly knocked herself silly. Still, it was an entertaining match.

Match 4: Tyler Breeze def. Baron Corbin. Breeze won with a rollup and his feet on the ropes. A bit of a rough match in places. You can tell Baron still needs work in places, but not a bad match by any means. After the match, Baron lays out Tyler with the End of Days.